As a long time user of binding Dynafit TLT (since 2000) I was interested in
possibility to test the first fully functional binding (out of the superlight
competition models) on the market after the patend of Dynafitu was over. Binding
G3
Onyx was firstly introduced in March 2009 and after optimalization of some
details it became an alternative of Dynafit, especially for freeride. Here,
personal experience with G3 Onyx
during Ski-touring
course for the members of club Hedvábná stezka was excellent in RaxAlpe
are presented.

Skis Movement Jackal and binding G3 Onyx on the side ridge of
RaxAlpe

I went with freeride skis Movement Jackal – 176 cm,
136–105–124 mm and binding G3 Onyx s DIN 6–12
to RaxAlpe, that were rented fromBoatpark. I set
release power to DIN 9 and I little adjusted length of the binding to ideal
position for my shoes Dynafit Zzero 4 C TF. Length adjustment
was easy, and I was able to do that even when with light produced by headlamp
at 8:30 p.m.

G3 Onyx with set lower heel support

For a man accustomed to the most minimalist solution from Dynafit looks „G3
Onyx“: http://www.boatpark.cz/…3-onyx-z4912
powerfully and very robustly from the very tip of the binding dominated by large
front plastic part. This part may seem unnecessarily oversized for Dynafit
users. After thorough testing on different hard and icy surfaces (unfortunately
there were nowhere powder) in Raxalpe I dare say that the size of the tip of
the binding for handling with the binding (opening, closing and switching
between output and exit) is ideal, and the binding is easy to switch both by
hands, ski-pole or shoe.

Front part of G3 Onyx set for downhill

The snow got under the tip of binding just a little in snow conditions in
RaxAlpe, and I did not think I would have a problem with turning it on or off
due to snow clogging the tip.

G3 Onyx

The rear part of G3 Onyx is by its construction and mode switching vastly
different from traditional solutions by Dynafit TLT. It is because of the fact
that the heel when switching from walking to skiing shifts in the axis of the
ski. This means that the position of the heel on the downhill, the difference
between Dynafit and G3. In contrast, when switching heel G3 Onyx shifts, heel
below the axis of the ski – the heel is not rotate around a vertical axis,
but there is a simple shift.

Rear part of G3 Onyx set for climbing in the middle position

At first glance, the axial shift when switching from heels downhill output
causing quite strangely, but this solution has one huge and unique advantage. G3
Onyx binding is the first binding on the base of Dynafit TLT in which when you
switch from downhill to walking mode it is not needed to step out of binding.
The switch can be simply done by ski-pole. Taking off binding was usually the
main disadvantage of TLT based bindings in comparison with traditional
skialpinism bindings as „Diamir Eagle – first experiences from Kamchatka in
May 2009“: http://mountainski.cz/…osti-s-novym-
Tying-Diamir-eagle-obtained-on-Kamchatka.

Rear part of G3 Onyx set for climbing in the highest position

Personally I prefer not to use heel support for uphill skining at the heel
binding suitable for stretching the calf muscles during longer steps. I use
heel support only in quite steeper terrain and traverses. In the basic position
with the boot heel bindings touches down on the brake locked, which allows a bit
higher compared to the peak position of the shoe tying. If this was not enough
for the output, G3 Onyx offers two heights of heel support as documented on the
attached photos. The middle position I did not use at all, and I started
straight away with the highest position broadly in line with the upper edge of
the heel binding. It proved to be sufficient for all steeper terrain, after
which I moved in Raxalpe.

Skis Movement Jackal and binding G3 Onyx on the side ridge of
RaxAlpe

G3 offers quite unusual and unique solution for using one binding to multiple
skis. Just buy and install only other ski pad toe and heel mounting plate for
bindings. The binding itself is mounted on an ongoing basis, different skis,
depending on whether it hits the deep overfrozen powder snow or steep terrain.
Is it possible to have multiple pairs of skis for different terrains, conditions
and styles, and you need only one binding. The combination of mounting plates
and binding enable a wide range (up to 33 mm) set the size and location of
skeletal shoes over the center of the ski.

The weight of G3 Onyx
including brakes and screws is 1430 g (binding is produced out of aluminium and
hardened plastic), so that the weight is higher than Dynafit Vertical (1144 g)
and it has almost half of the weight with until now mostly spread out freeride
binding Marker Duke.

G3 Onyx in the downhill mode

Features as published on web Boatpark:

simple changing between ski and walk modes

improved step-in system of front fixation points

improved system of push up of heel support by ski-pole

Simple setting of mounting plate enables fast adjustment of up to 33 mm for
different sizes of shoes or movement of mounting point according to wishes.
Mounting plates are included with the binding.

Front part of G3 Onyx set for climbing

Binding exists in two modifications with different release strengths –
DIN6–12G3
Onyx and DIN5–10 G3
Ruby.

Comment

Your review is well done, except you are not showing the correct way to use the heel lifts. If you look at page 5 of the manual, the large lift flips over first, (the one you used as a high setting in your review) and then the smaller one flips on top of that to make the actual high lift setting.

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